Ospri head of traceability Kevin Forward says compliance statistics over the past 18 months are showing significant improvement, but there is some way to go yet.
He says despite the overall statistics, industry is naturally concerned with the latest NAIT non-compliance figures.
In the year to date, 944 infringements have been issued, compared to the 687 issued last year.
The number of written warnings issued so far this year is at 1969, well up on the 266 in 2019.
So far this year, advice and education has been provided to 215 farmers compared to the total of 291 in 2019.
Cases recommended for prosecution at just six may look low, but Ospri reports there are several investigations in progress, where charges are likely to be filed.
Forward says an alarming 25,000 animals are moved every fortnight in New Zealand without being registered.
While in 2018, 42% of all animals were unregistered, in the three months July to September 2020 it had 88% registered.
“So, we have gone from 58% to 88% (registered) and we acknowledge that is a significant improvement, but we did start low.
“And there has been a concerted effort with industry and regional partners to educate farmers at field days and events,” he said.
“We are getting there, but slowly.”
Everyone who has moved unregistered animals is sent a NAIT nudge, or reminder, of non-compliant activity and they have three months before infringements are started.
“It has taken infringements and prosecution to get the improvement in compliance,” he said.
Ideally, 100% compliance is the target, but realistically Forward says the focus now is on strategically targeting areas of greatest disease risk.
“Over the coming 18 months, Ospri’s focus will be on targeting high risk areas for the likes of TB and making sure farmers have an understanding of the (NAIT) system, have the resources to do it and know we are here to support them.”
Federated Farmers biosecurity spokesperson for livestock Wayne Langford says the non-compliance and infringement figures clearly indicate more education is needed.
“The majority of these cases are around registering the animals,” he said.
“The tags are getting in the ears, but the animals are not then being registered.”
The message is clear – make sure every tag you put in an animal is then registered to that specific animal in the NAIT system.
If you don’t have any access to technology, a simple phone call to NAIT (0800 482 463) will do the job,” he said.
“Education is the best key at the moment.
“It is unfortunate that in this day and age the system can’t be made simpler, so (meantime) farmers do need to persevere.”
Langford says NAIT has now been in for seven years and farmers are beginning to see the sharper end of the compliance stick.
“At the end of the day we all want 100% compliance, so we are highlighting education as the key to achieving that,” he said.
Feds, along with all industry stakeholders are working together to help Ospri make it happen.
“Mycoplasma bovis is such a huge cost to our farmers and our country, that’s why we need to create this system and get it right,” he said.
“Enforcement after seven years is important but we still need to encourage education as well, as the NAIT system evolves.”
Meanwhile, new rules are being introduced around NAIT tag management.
The new legislation is expected to strengthen on-farm biosecurity and assist with the tracing of animals that have not been properly registered.
It also brings NZ in line with international best practices for animal traceability.
The new rules will mean persons in charge of animals (PICAs) will no longer be able to take NAIT tags with them when they move NAIT locations or share tags between locations.
Ospri advises PICAs not to stockpile tags if they intend to move farms in the future.
If you are moving, use up your tags or leave them behind for incoming PICA to use at that NAIT location.
Large farming operations will need to purchase tags specific to each individual NAIT location, as it will not be permissible to tag animals with tags assigned to a different location number.
This means a farming corporate or business with multiple farms will require the location number and its own associated tags for each farm.
The new legislation comes into effect on December 14.
